In September, my family and I spent three days eating our way through Universal’s Epic Universe. Between my husband Dean, daughter June, and brother Matt, we tried just about everything that caught our eye. Some meals were worth every bite. Others were a one-and-done situation. Here’s our honest take on what to eat, what to skip, and what actually surprised us.

🌠 Celestial Park: Great Vibes, Even Better Pizza

Our first stop at Epic Universe was Celestial Park, home to some of the most unique food in the new park. Spoiler: not everything lived up to the hype.

Comet Dogs

This spot sounded fun, but for $12.99+ these should be the best hot dogs on Earth. They weren’t. I tried the Smoky Carrot Dog, which social media can’t stop raving about, but it was literally just a hot carrot in a bun. Skip it. Dean tried the Al Pastor Dog with grilled pineapple, pickled red onions, jalapeño, salsa verde, and micro cilantro for $13.99. He said it was flavorful and had a kick, but not worth ordering again.

CelesTiki Bar

We stopped here before the nightly water show, and I ordered the Frozen Mudslide, a strong $18 drink that came with a souvenir cup. Honestly, it was more booze than balance and I couldn’t finish it. If you’re a Mudslide fan, save your money.

Frosty Moon Ice Cream

By midafternoon, the Florida heat was brutal, so this was a welcome stop. June got a chocolate cone with gold star sprinkles and brownie pieces ($8.49, two toppings included). It melted fast, but she loved it. Worth the mess and a definite repeat.

Pizza Moon

This was the crowd favorite and absolutely worth the hype. We went after the lunch rush and got seated quickly. June ordered the Giant Mushroom Pizza, and it was so good she didn’t share. We also tried the famous Pizza Lunare with roasted garlic béchamel, pancetta, ricotta, and a purple ube crust. It was rich, cheesy, and easily one of the best bites of the trip. Share it because it’s heavy, but trust me, you won’t have leftovers. Pizzas were between $18-$20.

Oak & Star Tavern

This might be the park’s most underrated restaurant. We stopped for an early dinner and caught a live acoustic duo who made up songs with crowd input. The vibe was great and the food held up. Dean ordered the Slow Smoked Brisket Sandwich with mango bread, and I tried the Smoked St. Louis Ribs on a team member’s recommendation. Both were tender, flavorful, and perfectly paired with the four house BBQ sauces. Sides included Burnt Ends Baked Beans, Smoked Cheddar Biscuits, and Three-Cheese Mac and Cheese. The beans were the only miss, light on smoky flavor, but those biscuits were dangerously good. For dessert, we ordered the Warm Sticky Cake (too sweet, skip it) and Banana Pudding (get it, it’s excellent). A pretty expensive restaurant, with meals ranging between $17-$24 (most sides extra), but we would visit again.

So far, Pizza Moon was our clear winner in Celestial Park, with Oak & Star Tavern close behind.

🍄 Super Mario World: Worth the Wait

Super Mario World was easily one of the most anticipated parts of our visit, and it did not disappoint. Between the themed snacks, over-the-top details, and immersive atmosphere, it truly felt like stepping inside the game.

Yoshi’s Snack Island

Perfect spot for a quick bite between meals. We ordered both the Red Shell Calzone and the Green Shell Calzone (vegan option for Dean, who’s cheese sensitive). My brother Matt and I loved them- hot, hearty, and flavorful. June didn’t care for hers because of the Italian meat sauce, but for everyone else, it hit the spot. And look at the adorable packaging!

Toadstool Café

The one we were most excited for, and it lived up to the hype. The décor was adorable, making you feel like you were sitting in a café in the middle of Mushroom Kingdom. Here’s what we ordered:

• Mario Burgers (two total, one without mushrooms for me) served with truffle fries. These were the surprise hit of the meal. If you like truffle flavor, you’ll love them.
• Super Mushroom Soup, ordered by June, who is mushroom obsessed. She gave it a thumbs-up.
• Piranha Plant Caprese, Matt’s appetizer choice. Super cute presentation, average flavor.
• Bowser’s Fireball Challenge, a one-pound spicy meatball that Matt demolished. One of his favs.
• Fire Flower Spaghetti and Meatballs, Dean’s choice. He said it was good but admitted he had burger envy.
• ? Block Tiramisu, our shared dessert, which was both adorable and delicious.

We all agreed the Toadstool Café is a must-visit for both food and atmosphere. Pricing what you’d expect, with the one-pound meatball coming in at $24.99, while the other dishes ranged from $8-$19.

Turbo Boost Treats

Uncle Matt couldn’t resist treating June to the Super Star Popcorn Bucket for $40. Pricey, yes, but every refill after that is only about $2, and you can bring it back on future visits. If your kid loves popcorn, it’s a fun and worthwhile splurge. You can see June wearing it in the picture below.

Donkey Kong Country – The Bubbly Barrel

Dean and Matt finished off our visit here with the park’s most talked-about treat: the DK Crush Float. It’s a banana-pineapple soft-serve float served in a souvenir mug ($18.99). Both said it was heavenly and the perfect dessert for a hot day. I don’t love pineapple, so I skipped it, but if that combo sounds good to you, don’t miss it.

Overall, Super Mario World nailed it on both food and fun. Between the creative dishes, detailed theming, and a few surprise hits, it’s one of the most memorable parts of Epic Universe. Just come hungry, and maybe bring a little extra spending money for those souvenir treats.

🧛 Dark Universe: The Hidden Gem

Dark Universe might be the most underrated universe of the entire park. The food is excellent, and the special effects on the Monsters: Unchained ride, along with the fiery windmill atop the Burning Blade Tavern, take the experience to another level.

Burning Blade Tavern

It looks just like it sounds, complete with a burning windmill on top. Inside, it’s dark and moody with limited seating, though there are outdoor tables if you don’t mind the heat. Matt ordered the Pure of Heart, a cocktail that comes with its own show. The drink is placed under a glass dome and smoked with cinnamon cedar and flower flames. He said it was one of his favorites in the park.

This is also a great stop for snacks between meals. We ordered the Burning Cheddar Bites, and they were outstanding. Don’t let the black color fool you. They had just the right amount of heat, made with fried jalapeño pimento cheddar and served with sriracha ranch. They’re at the top of my next-trip must-have list. June ordered the Charred Loaded Potato, which came with a huge piece of bacon (I had to taste it). Dean went for the Staked Grilled Chicken, a char-crusted skewer with garlic naan, tzatziki, shaved cabbage, and salsa roja. Both said they would order again.

The only real miss was the Hunter’s Garlic Stake, a garlic butter pretzel with garlic dipping sauce that sounded incredible but wasn’t. The bread tasted stale and the sauce had separated, so half went in the trash. Most dishes were $12.

De Lacey’s Cottage

We stopped here next where June grabbed a Frank & Friends Pretzel, shaped like Frankenstein himself. She said it was the perfect snack before dinner, coming in around $13.

Das Stakehaus

This spot has been hyped by nearly every food blogger, and I’d agree with most of them, with one exception. Dean started with the Darkmoor Black Wings, but they were drenched in soy chili garlic sauce that made them too sweet. We’d skip these next time. Everything else, though, was excellent. The Carved Staked Steak, Bits and Pieces, and the standout Red Velvet Death (a coffin-shaped cake made with beets that didn’t taste like beets at all) were all fantastic. The cake was moist, rich, and gone within minutes between the four of us. Mostly meat-based dishes, so pricing was a bit higher (between $16-$24).

Overall, Dark Universe is absolutely worth a visit. Between the food, atmosphere, and theming, it’s one of the best surprises in Epic Universe.

🪄 The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic: Where the Food Is Just as Magical

This universe blends British magic with a European twist, and it’s one of the most immersive areas of Epic Universe. Even the food and drinks feel straight out of the wizarding world.

Bar Moonshine

Tucked toward the back of the park, Bar Moonshine is decorated with wizarding Americana memorabilia. The line was long, but it’s a fun spot to grab a themed drink and take a break. Matt ordered the Lobe Blaster, made with moonshine, limoncello, absinthe, lemon juice, club soda, and simple syrup, garnished with rosemary and topped with an émulsion verte. As a bartender, he knows his drinks, and his verdict was “just okay.” I went classic with a glass of champagne, which was simple and perfect.

Café L’air De La Sirène™

We came back the next morning for brunch at this Parisian-style café, and I instantly fell in love. It felt like sitting in a real café in Paris.

First up was the Bièraubeurre™ Crêpe (Butterbeer Crêpe). This was next level. Even Matt, who isn’t a big sweets fan, loved it. June, who’s obsessed with Butterbeer, thought it was too sweet. That just meant more for us.

Matt and Dean both ordered the Soupe et Salade Maison, a classic French onion soup with salad. They said it was solid, but not the best they’ve ever had.

I ordered my favorite dish of the entire trip: the Galette de Tomates et Fromage, a roasted tomato and goat cheese tart baked in buttery pastry with a sweet onion sauce. I love tomatoes, and this dish was perfection. I actually came back the next day and ordered it again (along with another Butterbeer Crêpe). If you don’t like tomatoes, onions, or cheese, this won’t be your thing, but if you do, it’s incredible.

June couldn’t wait to try the Lavender Lemonade, but it wasn’t a hit for her. I’m not a huge lavender fan myself, but it wasn’t as strong as I expected. It’s worth trying at least once.

Le Gobelet Noir™

On our last day, we stopped at Le Gobelet Noir, tucked away down a narrow alley and much larger inside than it looks from the outside. Dean and Matt both ordered the Wizard’s Brew Bratwurst Sandwich, one of the most talked-about dishes in the park, and they said it was so good. Dean even put it in his top five meals of the trip. June tried the Knödel Soup and Salad Combo and said it was one of her favorites too. Unfortunately, they gobbled everything down so fast that I didn’t have time to get pictures!

We all agreed that The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic had some of the best food in the park. Between the atmosphere, attention to detail, and standout dishes, it’s a must-visit for any Harry Potter fan.

🐉 How to Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk: Big Flavor in a Small Menu

We didn’t get to sample much in this universe, but we made sure to try the one item everyone talks about – the Mac & Cheese Cones. These are the signature item at Hooligan’s Grog & Gruel, and they’re so popular that the line can get long. Insider tip: you can also order them at Spit Fyre Grill, which usually has a much shorter wait.

We tried one of each flavor:

• Classic Mac & Cheese – June went with this one and thought it was good but didn’t love the Goldfish crackers mixed in (even though she likes them separately). It’s a solid choice if you want something simple and familiar.
• PB&J (Pork, Bacon, and Jam) – My pick, and it was excellent. The BBQ harissa pulled pork and peanut bacon jam balanced the richness of the mac and cheese perfectly.
• Dragon Fire Chicken Spire – Dean’s favorite. It’s filled with Nashville-style pulled chicken, hot honey, Calabrian peppers, chimichurri, and crispy onions. Spicy, sweet, and full of flavor. Matt tried all three declared this the winner.

Each cone runs about $14–$16 and is large enough to share. They’re handheld, filling, and absolutely worth trying.

We didn’t get a chance to try the bowls at Spit Fyre Grill or the platters at Mead Hall, so those are on our radar for next time. June did try the Yaknog (hot chocolate with cinnamon) and gave it a big thumbs up.

🌿 Bonus: Flora Taverna at the Helios Grand Hotel

Since we stayed at the Helios Grand Hotel, located right at the foot of the park, we decided to dine in on our first night and try the in-house restaurant, Flora Taverna. I had high hopes after reading the reviews, but this one ended up on our skip list. It was pricey and didn’t live up to expectations.

We were hungry, so we started with a few appetizers. The Saganaki– a traditional Greek dish made with melted cheese and pita- was a letdown. With Dean being Greek, we’ve had our fair share of this dish, and the best part is always when they light it on fire tableside. Here, they skipped that entirely. The cheese wasn’t melted and had a rubbery texture. For $17, it was a letdown.

Next was the Freshly Baked Focaccia, which we needed more than one order of for our group of four. It was flavorful, but the Greek olive oil served with it was unexpectedly spicy. The Heritage Tomato & Burrata was fresh and tasty, though not worth the $23 price tag. The highlight of the appetizers, according to Dean, Matt, and June, was the Charred Octopus– and for $25, it should be. I’ll take their word for it since octopus isn’t my thing.

For entrées, Matt ordered the Margherita Pizza ($20) and I chose the Local Florida Water Shrimp Pizza, one of the dishes with the highest online ratings. Unfortunately, the mix of garlic sauce, smoked mozzarella, and shrimp just didn’t work. Dean went with the American Wagyu Beef Burger, which he said was decent but not worth $29. June ordered the Ora King Salmon ($35) and was disappointed that it was so heavily seasoned she couldn’t finish it. She ended up eating a few slices of Uncle Matt’s pizza instead.

Overall, Flora Taverna is a miss for us. The prices don’t match the quality, and the flavors were inconsistent. You’re better off ordering takeout or, if you have a car, making a quick trip to the nearest Wawa.

✨ Final Thoughts

After three days of exploring Epic Universe, one thing’s clear: the food is as much of an experience as the rides. Some spots impressed us and others missed the mark, but overall the variety and creativity make it worth tasting your way through each universe.

Our top picks were Pizza Moon in Celestial Park, Toadstool Café in Super Mario World, Das Stakehaus in Dark Universe, and both Café L’air De La Sirène and Le Gobelet Noir in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic. Each delivered on flavor, presentation, and that spark of fun you hope for in a theme park meal.

If you’re planning a visit, come hungry and pace yourself. Try one or two things in each universe and skip the long lines by visiting popular spots during off-hours. And if you’re staying at the Helios Grand Hotel, save your appetite for the park instead of Flora Taverna.

Epic Universe lives up to its name. Between the immersive theming, creative dishes, and surprisingly good bites, it’s a food adventure on its own and one we’ll definitely return for.

Want to experience Epic Universe for yourself? Get on my calendar for a complimentary vacation planning session. You’ll benefit from my personal experience in the Universal parks and enjoy extra perks when you book through me. I’ll handle the details so you can focus on making the memories.

Meagan’s passion for travel is deeply rooted in her personal story. Having experienced the loss of her mother at age 8, family time has always been her highest priority. In 2022, six months after an unforgettable family vacation, her father passed away unexpectedly. This profound loss propelled Meagan to pursue a career as a travel advisor, knowing how important it is to create lasting memories with loved ones. With over 20 years in corporate supply chain management and client services, Meagan’s sharp attention to detail drives her success in delivering flawless, stress-free travel experiences. In addition to running her travel business, Meagan is a substitute teacher and heavily involved in her daughter’s Girl Scout troop. Jersey girl turned Georgia peach, her interests include traveling (obv), reading, watching movies with her fam, & cuddling with her fur baby.